International Social Science Journal (Chinese Edition)

No.4, 2021

The identity of overseas Chinese as immigrants in Korea

(Abstract)

Kiho Kim

Based on an ethnographic study of the Chinese communities in Korea, this paper analyzes the changing perceptions of overseas Chinese in Korea about their identity between Chinese mainland and Taiwan since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and South Korea in 1992. Prior to the 1980s, overseas Chinese in Korea generally received an “anti-communist” education from Taiwan, and therefore regarded Taiwan as their “motherland.” However, after the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and South Korea, they had the opportunity to communicate with their homeland, the Chinese mainland, and thus were able to find more business opportunities. Especially in the new century, with the rise of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) to power, the conflict between overseas Chinese in Korea and the Taipei Mission in Korea has become more pronounced, while their relationship with the Chinese Embassy in Korea has become closer. Despite this, overseas Chinese in Korea still distinguish themselves from the “new overseas Chinese” such as “Chinese compatriots”, and do not have a strong sense of belonging to their hometown, Shandong. In addition, most of the overseas Chinese in Korea still retain their so-called Taiwanese “nationality” and try to remain neutral between the Chinese mainland and Taiwan, identifying with neither of them, forming their own independent identity in terms of immigration.